DAC likely to clear Israeli Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile deal for the Indian Army

It's taken a decade and probably, the visit by the Prime Minister of Israel to India, but the weapon system the armoured corps has been waiting for, is now going to be made available. The Spike anti-tank guided missile is finally looking like arriving. It is likely to be taken up by the defence acquisition council on September 28th. It is a government-to-government decision and is all set to be cleared.

The Spike deal consists of 4,500 missiles, 172 launchers and will cost about Rs 3,742 crore. It has night firing capabilities, something the Army wanted and has a range of between 2 and 4 km. Importantly, it can replace weapon systems like the Milan that were extensively used in the 1999 Kargil war as of all things, bunker busters.

The Spike deal had gone underground after discussions began in 2009. The Defence Research and Development Organisation had promised an ATGM but it is still not absolutely ready.

The Netanyahu visit, top sources said, may have rescued the deal. It surfaced as an inter-government agreement after the visit. The trials have long been completed and there is considerable optimism that the deal will be done soon.

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